An Introduction to Legionella

Legionellosis is the collective name given to the pneumonia-like illness caused by legionella bacteria. This includes the most serious legionnaires’ disease, as well as the similar but less serious conditions of Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever. Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection. However, some people are at higher risk, including:

people over 45 years of age

smokers and heavy drinkers

people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease

anyone with an impaired immune system

The bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but usually in low numbers. They may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas.

If conditions are favourable, the bacteria may grow increasing the risks of legionnaires’ disease. Therefore, it is important to control the risks by introducing measures outlined in Legionnaires’ disease – The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8).

3 Monthly Shower Head Descale

What you must do

If you are an employer, or someone in control of premises, including landlords, you must understand the health risks associated with legionella and why you must carry out a legionella risk assessment.

Duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 extend to risks from legionella bacteria, which may arise from work activities. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations provide a broad framework for controlling health and safety at work and more specifically the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) provide a framework of duties designed to assess, prevent or control the risk from bacteria like Legionella and take suitable precautions.

Legionnaires’ disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8) contains practical guidance on how to manage and control the risks in your system.

As an employer, or a person in control of the premises, you are responsible for health and safety and need to take the right precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to legionella. You must understand how to:

identify and assess sources of risk

manage any risks

prevent or control any risks

keep the correct records

carry out any other duties you may have

Where does it come from?

Legionella bacteria are widespread in natural water systems, e.g. rivers and ponds. However, the conditions are rarely right for people to catch the disease from these sources. Outbreaks of the illness occur from exposure to legionella growing in purpose-built systems where water is maintained at a temperature high enough to encourage growth, e.g. cooling towers, evaporative condensers, spa pools, and hot water systems used in all sorts of premises (work and domestic).

How do people get it?

People can catch legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small droplets of water, suspended in the air, containing the bacteria. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella, including:

water temperature between 20–45 °C, which is suitable for growth

creating and spreading breathable droplets of water, e.g. aerosol created by a cooling tower, or water outlets

stored and/or re-circulated water

a source of nutrients for the organism e.g. presence of sludge, scale or fouling

While most cases of legionnaires’ disease are the result of infections caught in the UK, a number of cases occur abroad.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are similar to those of flu, i.e. high temperature, fever and chills, cough, muscle pains and headache. In a severe case, there may also be pneumonia, and occasionally diarrhea, as well as signs of mental confusion. Legionnaires’ disease is not known to spread from person to person.

Interested in our services? You can talk to one of our experienced representatives on 0800 29 22 400, send an email to info@cleanairuk.com with details of your enquiry, or click Contact Us Today to complete our simple enquiry form. A member of our sales team will aim to contact you within 24 hours of receipt of your enquiry.